Create your own pysanky — elaborately decorated eggs — through this batik method of design, adapting ancient traditions from Ukraine to fit your personal meaning and style.

In a workshop at the Cathedral on May 20, your pure white egg will slowly become a brilliantly dyed symbol of the advent of Spring and resurgence of life, along with any additional intentions and meanings you personally add. This is a mindful and meditative process, and fun to do with others. Please allow a minimum of 2.5 hours to create an egg, especially if it's your first time. You are welcome to make a second egg if time allows. You'll find the method of creation with candlelight and wax to be meditative and healing, and it results in a beautiful end product you will love.

Workshop leader Johanna Zenobia Krynytzky has been "writing" these eggs since she was old enough to hold a kistka (that's a sort of heated fountain pen that is used to draw the design on the eggs). Taught by her mother and grandmother, Johanna continues this age-old tradition that was banned in Ukraine by the USSR (as were Ukrainian language, religion, and other traditions). Today it thrives, in and out of Ukraine, as a national symbol of resilience, expression, and rebirth. The pysanka (that's the singular of "pysanky") was the topic of Johanna‘s B.A. thesis in Art History at the University of Chicago. She is proud to carry on this powerful, magical part of her heritage, and equally excited to share it with you

All materials are included. A donation of $20 to $50 is suggested. A percentage of proceeds goes towards humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Learn more at pysankyforpeace.com.

All welcome! Please bring your friends.